A disgraced former Calvary Chapel pastor, who has already been convicted of assaulting a child, has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping of an 82-year-old grandmother who was discovered buried under a shed in rural Washington state.
For context, Calvary Chapel is a loose network of non-denominational evangelical churches with its roots in the 1960s. Initially founded in 1965 by Pastor Chuck Smith in Costa Mesa, California, it emerged from the Jesus Movement, which blended the hippie movement with Christianity. Currently, Cavaly Chapel churches are known for their charismatic worship and modern aesthetic.
In any case, on April 20, 2025, the Thurston County Sheriff announced Zizz’s arrest in a Facebook post. The authorities stated, “In a coordinated effort with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office, Jeffery Zizz has been booked for numerous crimes related to the death of Marcia Norman. These charges include Murder in the First Degree, Kidnapping in the First Degree, and Unlawful Disposal of Human Remains.”
Promising more information, the police said, “Additional charges may follow as the investigation continues.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Norman family during this unimaginable loss. Despite their grief, the family has been actively engaged, supportive, and helpful throughout the investigation. A statement from the family is attached. They have asked for privacy and will not be making any further public comments.”
Speaking to the investigation which resulted in the murder charge, the Thurston County Sheriff thanked the other law enforcement agencies who brought the former pastor to justice. The document read, “This complex investigation would not have been possible without the collaboration and support of our law enforcement partners, including the Olympia Police Department, Washington State Department of Corrections, U.S. Army CID, Idaho State Police, Missoula Police Department, and Missoula County Sheriff’s Office.”
In the same post, the family of the victim offered a written statement to the public. They said, “Our family has experienced the loss of our center. Marcia was the one that brought us together. We are thankful for the efforts of law- enforcement, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office and the Missoula Police Department in their handling of this matter.”
Concluding their remarks, the family of the deceased woman said, “We are cooperating fully with the investigation in an effort to come to a resolution regarding the manner of her death. Our family is grieving
and looking for ways to honor her memory. Marcia was an engaged member of her community and family, full of life with plans for the future. She is loved by many.”
Speaking to the press, Gary Warnock, Thurston County coroner, said that the murder was one of the “worst cases I’ve witnessed.” He described how the elderly woman “was bound with Velcro straps and beaten to death” over several hours. According to the same source, she was killed by “blunt force trauma and penetrating injuries to her head.”